New Things & Old Things

With the third anniversary of owning Riverview Kennels coming in weeks, we wanted to take some time to address a few new things. However, before diving into all of our new things, we wanted to provide access to resources we have published in the past. This will provide some context for where we have come from. If you’ve read these blogs before, go ahead and skip to the next section.

• You can read the first blog we published announcing us as new owners, here.

• You can read about our history before taking ownership, here.

• You can read about our celebrations and accomplishments at the 15-month mark, here.

Five personal things to note before jumping into business details:

1. Great Grandma passed away in the Fall of 2023. We are grateful to have been able to spend her last years together on the same property.

2. In 2024, Gary had a quadruple bypass surgery and is doing better than ever.

3. Our oldest daughter, Emily, recently moved back to California to pursue her real estate license with her Aunt Tricia.

4. Our youngest daughter, Hannah, has graduated high school and is pursuing a career as an Ultra Sound Technician through SWOCC.

5. Michael and Kimberly recently celebrated 24 years of marriage.

New Employee Standards

When we first took ownership of the kennel, five employees ran everything. While this arrangement was financially efficient, many lines of services weren’t fully realized. Phones would go unanswered, the front desk would often be left empty, and personal interactions with the dogs were not prioritized.

As we increased the number of employees and developed standards for differentiated positions, we had in mind a pet care facility that didn’t just provide jobs for entry-level roles. We want Riverview Kennels to be a career-developing facility. We have three goals we are actively working toward:

1. Increase our starting wage from $12.75 (where it was when we arrived.) to $16.00. We are currently at $14 an hour and are ready to take the next step.

2. Increase our average wage. Coos County ranks 27th in average wage of the 36 Oregon Counties. We would like to do our small part to increase that ranking.

3. Increase our benefits package to include sick days, paid time off, 401k options, and professional education opportunities. When we arrived, the perks were limited to working with dogs and cats. We envision a facility that provides a living wage and a career path for its team.

We know that the better taken care of our team is, the better our team will take care of the pets in our care. Our team is well-honed and is the most highly trained pet care crew on the Southern Oregon Coast already, but we have so much more we want to accomplish.

Here are a few of the things we have accomplished so far:

• Background Checks on All New Employees: We added an important step to our onboarding process. Every new employee brought on the team has an extensive background check run on them. You can rest assured that not only is our team fully trained, but they are fully vetted as well.

• Pet CPR Certified: In October of 2024 we brought a team from Oregon CPR to our facility to certify our whole team in pet CPR. We have plans in place to maintain certification and onboard new team members in this vital skill.

• PackPro & IBPSA Certified: When Kimberly and Michael attended their first professional pet care conference in 2024 they came into contact with PackPro- a high-quality training system for pet care professionals. Now, each team member is on track to become certified in Customer Service, Dog Body Language, Canine Group Management, and New Dog Evaluations. This training is in addition to what we have already put in place through IBPSA.

• Improved Employee-to-Dog Ratio: Because we have specific roles for team members we have improved our Employee-to-Dog Ratio. In the past, we operated at 1:14 and now we typically operate around 1:8. That translates to more hands and more eyes on your dogs while they are in our care.

• Developing a Manager: We are in the process of developing Brittany as our Manager. She is currently operating as an Assistant Manager, working close to Kimberly to learn the nuances of the Manager role. Brittany brings such care, compassion, and competence to the team as a leader.

New Upgrades

Since the week we first landed, we have invested, improved, and enhanced our facilities. At the 15-month mark, we accounted for 37+ of these modifications. We knew that Riverview Kennels was already the premiere pet care facility on the Southern Oregon Coast, but we wanted to take the work that had begun in 1990 and prepare it for today and the future. We started our work 32 years after the first pet care transaction occurred with Mark Hull and his family. Here is where we find ourselves at 35 years of continual operation.

• Extended Parking Lot, Driveway, & Upgraded Drainage System: We literally added 167 tons of gravel to our parking lot and driveway. We added more parking space, created a place to park the tractor by the barn, extended the driveway for the trash truck, and further enhanced the drainage system. Does anyone remember the potholes that we used to deal with? They aren’t there any longer thanks to the new road work.

• Remodeled Lobby, Bathroom, & Hallway: Fresh paint and wainscoting have improved the look of our first-impression spaces. We are so glad there is no more seafoam green paint in the entryway anymore. ;)

• Upgraded Retail Space: We installed three sets of shelving systems that allow us to showcase products from RC Pet Products, Green Element CBD, Farm Hounds Treats, Enjoya, and a few self-produced items. We also added a glass bakery case to the front desk that highlights our delicious cookies from Bosco & Roxy’s.

• New Small Dog Exercise Yard: We subdivided the Small Dog Yard into two spaces. There is still plenty of acreage in each place, but now we can get even more groups of dogs out into yards at a time. We have plans to subdivide the Big Dog Yard in the future as well. Plus, we have been cleaning up the forest floor and will have some additional yards in the woods in the future.

• Refreshed Kitchen: The kitchen is the hub of all of the activity at the kennel. Dogs come and go through the kitchen, meals are prepped, and supplies are stored. The kitchen now has been fully repainted, baseboard has been added to clean up the look, and wooden shelving systems have been installed for all of our goods.

• Apple iMac at the Front Desk: The beautiful iMac on the front desk now fully integrates with all of our other devices. It’s now easier for us to share photos around the facility and the faster processing speeds cut down on wait times.

• Upgraded Fire Alarm System: One of the latest upgrades is to the alarm system. An old one was installed and operational when we arrived. We hired a fire alarm company to upgrade the existing system so that the fire department and our cell phones would be immediately notified if the smoke alarms went off.

New Policies

We are always looking for ways to improve our systems, make them more efficient and effective for our human customers, and better suited for our canine and feline customers. We are deploying a small number of new policy changes.

• No More Complimentary House Food: After much deliberation, we have decided to remove our complimentary house food for dogs and cats. The health and well-being of the animals is the primary driver for this decision. Over the years, we have learned that a good portion of dogs who switch from their normal food to ours during their stay end up with a greater possibility of tummy issues. We believe it is in the best interest of the animals for them to have the same food they normally eat at home. We will have our house food available for emergencies or for convenience if your dog is already eating Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice at $5/day.

• No More Annual Contract: We want to save all of us some time. So we are no longer requiring our contract to be updated annually. It’s a small matter, but we exert quite a bit of energy on our end to keep track of expiring contracts. What will you do with the extra five minutes per year you just gained?!

• Bathing Prices Now Structured by Weight: When we first launched bathing services we chose to price baths by breed. This made sense at that time, but not longer needs to be so complex. From March 5th and on, our baths will be priced by weight. As before, there may be additional costs incurred for matting, shedding, or other extenuating circumstances.

New Activities

If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram, then you know about all of the activities we have developed. Our goal is for your dog to leave our care the best version of themselves. In order to make this a reality we have been working hard to deliver top-notch mental and physical stimulation.

Research shows that dogs require mental and physical stimulation, just like us. When their minds are exercised and their bodies as well it is good for them. Like you and I, when we receive the right amount of physical activity and mental activity to keep us sharp, we are better versions of ourselves. Each dog is different, so a herding breed like our Toy Australian Shepherd, Ember, needs a job that requires extreme physical and mental exertion, while our French Bulldog, Rufus, can’t match her stamina. Every dog needs their own program for striking the right balance.

Here are all of the activities now in our repertoire:

• Mental Stimulation

  • IQ Puzzle: Your dog’s brain needs just as much exercise as their body! If your pup loves to problem-solve and enjoys a tasty reward, IQ puzzles filled with yummy treats are a great way to engage them. Plus, it’s a fun way to burn off mental energy when they need a break from physical play.

  • Lick Mat: We all know dogs love treats, but did you know that licking a mat filled with peanut butter, yogurt, or wet food can help sharpen their mind? It’s the perfect combination of fun and mental stimulation, giving your dog a satisfying way to engage during their stay.

  • Frozen Kong: Dogs need more than just physical play—they need challenges for their minds, too! A frozen, stuffed Kong is a perfect way to give them a mental boost, filled with yummy peanut butter, pumpkin, or yogurt. The best part? It keeps them occupied, calm, and content after a fun day of play.

  • Snuffle Mat: A happy pup isn’t just a tired one—it’s one whose mind has been exercised! A snuffle mat session is the perfect way to give your dog a little mental workout during their stay. They'll use their nose, their wits, and their patience to sniff out high-value treats tucked inside. Mental stimulation? Check!

  • Chomp & Chill: With our wide assortment of nutritious, dehydrated chew toys, it’s easy to add a relaxing, enjoyable experience to your dog’s stay. Not only is it tasty for your pup, but it’s also great for their dental care. Of course, we make sure they are supervised for the entire process.

  • Ball Pit: Give your dog a chance to unlock their curiosity with a ball pit that hides a small amount of high-value treats. It’s the perfect way to keep them entertained and mentally engaged, while they dig, search, and play!

  • Photo Shoot: People regularly comment about the high-quality of the photos we publish on our social media channels. Our team has learned the skill of getting the right show with your squirmy canine. Schedule a photo shoot at your next stay and our photographers will spend 15-minutes of 1-on-1 time with your dog. You will get some great shots to hang on your fridge or mount in a frame. Your dog will get to experience the pup-parazzi in action!

• Physical Stimulation

  • Forest Walk: There's nothing like a good walk through the forest to awaken the senses! Our 1/2-mile trail offers the perfect balance of exploration and exercise, giving your dog a chance to sniff, stretch, and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s not just a walk—it's a little adventure for their mind and body.

  • Frisbee: Get ready to see your dog’s tail wag and energy soar with a game of frisbee! These short but high-energy sessions provide excellent physical stimulation that supports your dog’s overall well-being.

  • Fetch: A 15-minute fetch session can be a game-changer for your dog’s health. These high-impact games strengthen muscles and help release excess energy, leaving your dog tired but satisfied. Play hard; rest easy!

  • Snuggle Session: After all the zoomies and new experiences, a snuggle session can be just the thing to help your dog recharge mentally. 🐾 The calming effect of quiet, focused attention helps them feel balanced and ready for their next adventure. Who doesn’t love a good cuddle?

  • Basic Obedience: A tired dog is a happy dog! 💤 But did you know that mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity? Our 15-minute focused obedience sessions give your dog the chance to work on important skills like sit, stay, and place—leaving them mentally tired and content.

• Nutritional Stimulation

  • Puppacinno: Most of us love to pull up to the drive-through at the coffee shop to order our favorite drink— so does your dog! That’s why we have the puppacinno. This dollop of whipped cream inside of a cup will give your dog something to sink their nose and tongue into. They will know they are your favorite when you order them a puppacinno!

  • Pup’sicle: We have a form that allows us to fabricate fresh, delicious frozen pup’sicles. We place yogurt in the mold, freeze it, and fill the inside cavity with other tasty treats. Your dog will love the temperature difference!

  • Cookie Time: Our cookies from Bosco & Roxy are the perfect addition to your dog’s overnight stay. These decadent treats are beautiful to look at and delicious for your dog. Feeling guilty about being away from them for so long- order them some cookies!

New Service Levels in Daycare & Boarding

In order to make our long list of activities as accessible as possible and to allow your dog or cat to experience the best of what Riverview Kennels has to offer we developed three service levels for Boarding and Daycare.

These service levels will provide a convenient way for you to select the level of service that will be best for your pet, but will still allow you to customize your loved one’s experience just like you want. Here is how it works:

• Standard Boarding & Daycare:

  • Private rooms in our temperature-controlled buildings.

  • Indoor & outdoor access in each room. (outdoor not applicable for cats)

  • Kurunda cot and bedding in each room.

  • Access to our large, grassy yards for potty and play. (cats have access to our themed playroom)

  • Socialization suited to your dog’s needs and temperament. (cats are only socialized if they come from the same family and get along together)

  • Breakfast and dinner feeding, plus delivery of necessary medications

  • Freshly cleaned room daily

  • Care from our highly trained team of pet care professionals

• Deluxe Boarding & Daycare: All of the amenities of Standard Care, plus…

  • Daily Physical Stimulation

  • Daily Mental Stimulation

• Premium Boarding & Daycare: All of the amenities of Standard & Deluxe, plus…

  • 2nd Daily Physical Stimulation

  • 2nd Daily Mental Stimulation

  • Evening Snack

New Pricing

To continue providing the highest quality care with our upgraded facilities and staff training, we are making small adjustments to our pricing structure. We’ve worked hard to keep these increases minimal while maintaining top-tier services.

• Standard Cat Boarding will now be $35/night- effective immediately

• Standard Dog Boarding will now be $45/night- effective April 1.

• Standard Dog Daycare will now be $30/day- effective April 1.

If you know your upcoming boarding stays for 2025, you can book those stays before April 1 at the current rate.

If you want to take advantage of the current rate for daycare for 2025, you can purchase as many of our Standard Level Daycare Packages before April.

In our current software, all packages must be purchased in person or over the phone. You can click on the images to access a blog about our Standard Daycare Packages.

New Software

We saved the best for last. PawLoyalty has served us well for the last two years but, unfortunately, it is being sunsetted and absorbed by a new software company. We have explored their product and felt it wasn’t up to snuff. Our research landed us on the newest and most innovative software platform on the market- Goose.

On March 5th we will go live with Goose. Kimberly and Michael will be working directly with the rest of the team to make the software transition. Goose has done an amazing job in getting us ready for this big step. They have provided an extensive Q&A list that will help you get the most out of Goose. You can find that list, here.

There are so many benefits that this software transition will bring to the table. Once our team overcomes the pain of the initial transition, we believe we will all be grateful for the new possibilities

Thank You

If you’ve made it this far in the blog. Thank you.

You are empowering us to take the premiere pet care facility on the Southern Oregon Coast and develop it into:

• The safest, cleanest, and most fun pet care facility on the whole Oregon Coast

• An amazing pet care career development facility

• A wonderful, family-run, small business